CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
-
Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Opioids for chronic noncancer pain: a meta-analysis of effectiveness and side effects.
Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) is a major health problem, for which opioids provide one treatment option. However, evidence is needed about side effects, efficacy, and risk of misuse or addiction. ⋯ Weak and strong opioids outperformed placebo for pain and function in all types of CNCP. Other drugs produced better functional outcomes than opioids, whereas for pain relief they were outperformed only by strong opioids. Despite the relative shortness of the trials, more than one-third of the participants abandoned treatment.